PhD in Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD) program is a thesis based PhD research degree. This program is offered to applicants who hold a Masters Degree in a related field. It is expected that graduate students will complete all program requirements within four years.

Times to Completion

12 terms (4 years)

Funding Details

Eligible research-based students will receive a minimum of $13,000 plus tuition (excludes ancillary fees) through research grants, contracts, scholarships and teaching assistantships. This amount will increase to $14,000 after successful completion of the PhD Comprehensive Examination. To maintain fundable status, students must sustain an average of 78% at Western.

Admission Requirements

  • Admission Average: North American A- (78%)
  • Applicant should have a Masters degree in Engineering, or similar program
  • Acceptance into the PhD degree program is contingent upon successfully finding a faculty advisor. It is the responsibility of the applicant to find a faculty advisor. Eligible applications will remain in a pending status until such time a faculty advisor is secured by the applicant (for a period of one year from the date of application). For information about our faculty members, please visit our Faculty Members page.

For applicants whose first language is not English or if a student has not completed 2 years of undergraduate or graduate education at an English-speaking institution in a country whose official first language is English, then you must provide proof of your proficiency in English by successfully completing one of the recognized English Language Proficiency examinations. For more information about English Language Proficiency, please visit our English Language Proficiency page. 

Application Deadlines

Domestic Students

  • Fall: July 1
  • Winter: November 1
  • Summer: March 1

International Students

  • Fall: March 1
  • Winter: July 1
  • Summer: November 1

Degree Requirements

  • 8 Courses (4 courses can be exempt based on Masters Degree marks and approval of the Graduate Chair)
  • Successful completion of the PhD Comprehensive Examination
  • Successful presentation, defence, and submission of a research thesis
  • Attend 70% of the Civil Seminar Series (average calculated per term) and present at least once during their program
  • Students can start in September, January or May

Fields of Research